I remember hearing someone say after making a  business presentation; “I’ll think about it. Let’s see what the future holds.” I thought to myself; “Don’t leave things to chance and see what the future holds, create your own future, now.”  Doris Day sang this attitude in her song: “Kay Syrah Syrah, what ever will be will be.”

Opportunities like this don’t come along very often in life. I had a friend that missed becoming a founding investor in Starbucks in the early 80s and a friend that laughed when he was told smoke detectors would be required in all new construction in the late 70s.  Both investments were small compared to the relative return on investment. These are rare once in a life-time propositions but at the same time, opportunities abound on a smaller scale everyday.

If someone pulled into your driveway in a brand new Lexus and proposed that you could own the car for a one payment of $600 and $150 per month of gas for the next 36 months what would would you do?Then after you buy the car, if you’re committed to develop a team of motivated individuals that make the same commitment after about 18 to 24 months what if you could create six figure profits?  Using the Lexis analogy, that’s one payment and a few tanks of gas per month.  Of course there are routine maintenance expenses and your time investment.  Online affiliate programs and network marketing businesses are small business vehicles that can create what’s called “leverage” and potentially huge financial results with very little financial commitment.

A non refundable franchise fee with Quiznos costs around $250,000. You get the right to pay thousands of dollars of rent and overhead. You pay for accountants and legal fees, manage employees, and make sandwiches for at least two years before earning any significant profits.  Sound fun? Millions invest millions in franchises but there’s an easier way with a lot less risk.

It’s difficult sometimes communicating the benefits of profits verses wages to most people that are earning a wage.  Creating long-term profits is not a paycheck.  Owners know that “Profits are better than wages.”  There is no ceiling on what you can reap financially when you own your own company.  I say the amount of your net worth is a direct result of the size of your network.

People say they can’t afford to own a business or say they don’t have time.  But are those good reasons not to drive a luxury business vehicle for a small investment?

If the prize was a real Lexus, most would come up with $600 and $150 per month?   What’s really holding you back?  You might prefer a Mercedes to a Lexus, business models abound.  That’s OK.  Find the business vehicle that’s right for you, a product or service that you are passionate about. Ask yourself: “What is the cost if I don’t make an investment in my future?

Create and plan your future and begin to cultivate your success environment. Don’t leave things to chance. Kay Seyah Seyah will not produce results.  Here’s my paraphrase of what Jay Paul Getty said.  “I’d rather have the efforts of one hundred people that one hundred percent of my own.”  That’s real leverage.